Beijing, March 15, 2024, The Europe Today: In a significant development for China’s lunar exploration ambitions, the carrier rocket designated for the Chang’e-6 lunar probe mission has reached the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan Province, as confirmed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday.
The Long March-5 Y8 carrier vehicle, entrusted with the crucial task of launching the Chang’e-6 lunar probe, will undergo meticulous assembly and rigorous testing procedures at the launch site. Concurrently, the lunar probe itself, having been transported to the site earlier, will be integrated with the carrier rocket in preparation for the upcoming mission, as outlined by the CNSA.
Scheduled for liftoff in the first half of this year, the Chang’e-6 lunar probe mission holds immense significance as it aims to achieve a pioneering feat in human history: the collection of samples from the unexplored far side of the moon.
Highlighting the collaborative nature of the mission, the CNSA disclosed that scientific instruments contributed by France, Italy, and the European Space Agency/Sweden will be housed within the lander component of the Chang’e-6 mission. Additionally, a Pakistani payload is slated to be onboard the orbiter, reflecting the international cooperation fostered within the realm of lunar exploration.
With preparatory activities progressing as scheduled at the launch site, the CNSA affirmed its commitment to ensuring meticulous readiness for the forthcoming mission. As anticipation builds for the launch of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe, China’s ambitious strides in space exploration continue to captivate the global scientific community, heralding a new chapter in the exploration of the cosmos.
